Atrial Flutter

Atrial flutter is a type of abnormal heart rhythm that affects the heart's upper chambers, called the atria. It causes the atria to beat very fast and in a regular pattern, which can lead to a rapid heart rate. This condition involves the cardiovascular system and can affect how well the heart pumps blood to the rest of the body. People with atrial flutter may experience symptoms like palpitations, shortness of breath, or dizziness. If untreated, it can increase the risk of serious problems such as stroke or heart failure. The abnormal rhythm results from a reentrant circuit in the atria, causing the heart to beat inefficiently. Managing this condition often requires medical evaluation and monitoring.

Atrial flutter is a supraventricular tachyarrhythmia characterized by a rapid, regular atrial rate typically around 250-350 beats per minute due to a macroreentrant circuit, most commonly in the right atrium. The core pathology involves a reentrant electrical circuit that causes the atria to contract rapidly and regularly, leading to ineffective atrial contraction and often a rapid ventricular response. It is frequently associated with underlying heart disease such as ischemic heart disease, valvular heart disease, or chronic lung disease. The condition is clinically significant because it can cause symptoms of palpitations, fatigue, and hemodynamic instability, and it increases the risk of thromboembolism and stroke due to atrial stasis. Diagnosis and management are important to prevent complications and improve cardiac function.